Device for predetermining fitting lengths of ornament strings



Nov. 7, 1950 P. TELL ET AL 2,529,058

DEVICE FOR PREDETERMINING FITTING LENGTHS OF ORNAMENT STRINGS Filed June 25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 7, 1950 P TELL ET AL DETE NING FIT DEVICE FOR PRE TING LENGTHS 0F ORNAM T STRINGS Filed June 25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 thereof Fig. is afrag Patented Nov. 7, 1950 DEVICE FOR PREDETERMINING FITTING LENGTHS OF ORNAMENT STRINGS Philip Tell, Madison, and Abraham Lehrhofi,

Morristown, N. J.

Application June 25, 1947, Serial No. 756,856

" Claims. (01. 33-179) :Ihis invention relates to a device for prede ter'mining a length o'rjl'engths of strung beads,-

pearls and other gems'forotherformsofstrun ornaments which maybe required to size neck-- laces, bracelets or the'flike, compose thereof, to

fitthe person of an indiv'idualfr'wear'er.

In making up necklaces, brag'jeletsv and similar articles of adornm-ent'wh'ich comprise a;multi-,

plicity of beads, pearls, gemsfor other-ornamental elements strung in successionupon'a carrying string length calculated to accommodate itself to or fit the person of the individual by whom it is to be Worn; this is especially desirable with respect to necklaces comprising a plurality of' strings, as, forexamplje necklaces of the so-.

called choker type, which consist of a plurality of substantially "parallel strings, the respective lengths of which must'be relativelyvaried in order to assure proper lie thereof about and upon theneck of the wearer. 1 V

.Having the circumstancesfabove set forth in view, it is an objectv of this invention to provide a'simple'and effectivemeasuring device, which can be easily and quickly manipulated, whereby to predetermine the number of elements necessary to produce astringor stringsthereof of re-' quirje'd length or of required relative lengths calculated to size the article','coniprisihg such string or strings, to properl fit't g personvolf a given individual wearer,

jOther objects of this invention, "not at this time more particularl enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description" of the same.

panying drawings, in iwhichf' 'Figs. 1 and z are respectively pictorial views showing application of the measuring device of thisinvention to the neck of aperson to be fitted with a strung ornament article'of adornment. v

Fig. 3 is a front face ew'of the measuring device; Fig 4 is a 'fr ary rear face View lary-side elevational view there f; Fig. 6 isa the part shown m iS a fragmentary perspective view o e ce; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vie'w' showrng the measuring device as applied to the'nelc of ahindividual for whom the measurement is being made;

Figs; 9 and 10are'respectively enlarged views;

nd levational view of -10 strand, it is desirable to predetermine the number of such elements; r'equired with respect to a given string thereof, which will provide a proper the free terminals of the measuring strings of' the device. Fig. "11is-a' fragmentary face view of dis'coiinected meeting end portions of the measuring device fas. equipped with separable clasp means forLjoining said ends; and Fig. 12 is a similar, view showingthe clasp means connected to join the meeting ends of the device.

Similar characters of reference are employed inthe above described views, to indicate corre-' sponding parts. To illustratethe construction and mode ofu'se-T of the measuring device embodying this inven-' tion', the same has been shown as employed for v predeter'inining the number of beads required to: providerelative string lengths, thereof to be ar-" ranged to form a'pearl necklace of the so-called choker type comprising three strings. As" specifically designed for this and similar uses,' the measuring devicecomprises bead or like, ele ments ll of a size corresponding to the size of the pearl beads to be used in the make up of the necklace, said beads H beingstrung successively upon carrying strands l2 seats to form a'plural-jf ity of strings thereof; in the illustrative case; three such'strings A, B and C being provided," eaoh comprising' a predetermined number of beadsj ll.

Sa'id strings A, B and C are each secured, by one end of the strand !2 thereof, to a measuring; couplerfelement, so' that said strings extend from the latter in parallel relation. The measuring] coupler "element, in a simple form thereof, com-" prises a flat plate-like body I3, having, spa'cedf alongjits inner transverse" marginal portion, a f seriespfperforations or eyes 14 engageable by," means for securing the strands l2 of the respective strings to said body [3." The fastening con-t"; nectionf of. thestrands I! to the eyes i4 ma be. made in an suitable manner,"as e. g. by knot-f1 ting 'the' ends of the strands after passing said: ends through said eyes' l l, but preferably the-- fastening connectioniiswmade by means of connecting links or stirrups l5 which are engaged through the eyes I4, and by which knotted strand; ends are embraced (see Fig. 5) The platelike body 13 may be made of any suitable material," but is preferably made of sheet metal. The outer transverse part of the body is is curved outwardly and inwardl to provide a coupler portion I6 adapted toform, along its inner or rearward face, a'rearwardly open bead seating channel I-lf The free marginal part of said coupler portion l6 is' indented by entering slots, respec-' tively indicated bythe reference characters a;

permit entrance and passage of said strands thereinto.

Each bead string A, B and C comprises a selected number of beads II depending upon the diametric size thereof; a selected plurality of said beads adjacent the free end portion of each string being identified by numbers corresponding to their numerical positionsin the whole number of beads by which the string is constituted. For example, if each string comprises fifty-two beads, the last eighteen thereof are successively numbered from 35 to 52 inclusive (see Figs. 3 and 8). This is On the assumption that in a finished necklace, comprising a plurality of parallel strings, none of said strings would be required to be shorter than a length formed by thirty-four beads or pearls. Itwill be understood that the numberof beads in the strings A, B and C may be varied, and also that the number of numerically identified beads at the free terminal end portions of the strings is. also subject to variation, .as may be requiredby'the diametric size of beads or pearls to be used in the makeup of a necklace, bracelet or similar article, or as may be required by the specific form or type of necklace, bracelet or the like with reference' to which measurements are desired to be made. Furthermore, if desired, all of the beads of the strings forming the measuring device may be successively numbered from fixed ends to freev endsof saidstrings.

.It is desirable that the beads of the respective measuring strings, be kept in substantial abutment one upon another, so as'to assure uniform spacing thereof throughout the string length, without intervening gaps, Ordinarily, if the free end of a strand I2 is knotted and the formed knot caused to closely or tightly abut the terminal bead so as to crowd the succession of beads into desired abutment one upon another, this would be sufficient. However, stretching or expansion and contraction of the strand 12 prisin a compression sprin I8, the inner. end of which abuts the outermostor terminal bead II of a string thereof, and the outer end of which isfooted in a perforate seating washer I9 through which the strand I2 extends and terminates in a knotted portion 20 'by which said seating washer is supported. Another means which is manipulatable to assuredesired abutting relationship of the beads, as shown more particularly inFig. 10, is provided by a longitudinally extensible thrust exerting device comprising an internally screw-threaded barrel 2| having a perforate end wall to abut the outermost or terminal bead II of a string thereof and through which One such means, as shown in the strand I2 of the string is passed, and an externally screw-threaded thrust member 22 which is screwed into said barrel 2|. Said thrust member 22 is also'provided with a perforate end wall through which the strand I2 extends and terminates in a knotted portion 23 by which said thrust member 22 is supported. It willbe obvious that by relativel turning the thrust member 22 and barrel 2|, these parts may be extended so as. to exert thrust upon the beads effective to move the same along the strand I2 into the desired abutting relationship.

In the use of'theme'asurin device, as e, g. for determining the respective string lengths of pearls or like elements to be employed in making up a necklace of the choker type, the meas-' I I which'terminates'the adjusted neck encircling portion of said string A, so that the succeeding bead is lodged and heldin the seatingchannel H (see Fig. 8) Byncting the identifying member. of the terminatin head, the number of pearls or the like, necessaryto be strun :tofurnish a properly fitting top string of the necklace to "be made, will be at once indicated. This operation is then repeated withrespect to the-bead strings ment, whereuponthe proper number, of pearls or the like to be furnished for the respective strings thereof required ,.to,.make .up the necklace, soas to personally fit the individual meas- ,ured, is easily and quickly determined; Not only this, but upon completion of, such application of the measuring device to and .upon the neck of the individual undergoing measurement, that in-- dividual. may observe in a mirror (see Fig. 2) the C, whereby todetermine whether such lie is desired higheror lower, andgenerally as to what the appearance of the finished necklace will be when worn.

v Since the neck size and neck muscula con toursofdifferent individuals may vary widely, it will be obvious that the use of themeas'uring device will readily andaccurately-predetermine the requirements as to ,bead or pearl string lengths for a necklace or, the like to satisfactorily. "fit a given individual. -Ordinarily in a plural string necklace, the top pearl string willv require number thereof. The'nu'mbers of beads or pearls required in the respective strings will var considerably as to each other with respect to different individuals, not only by reason of varying neck sizes from small tolarge, but also by reason ofvariations in muscular structure or contours of the neck even injndividuals having approximately the same neck size. i

After measurement has f been completed by the use of the -measuring device of, this invention,

it is.a simple matter to accordingly string pearls,

beads or the like for productionof a corresponding finished necklace. "By; use -of themeasuring device, it is thereforepossiblefor either-a manufacturer or a retailer tocarry-a stock of looseor piece structure previously described, comprises a two-piece structure, the meeting ends of which are provided with cooperative separable clasp elements, so that the coupler elements not only simulates a clasp connection between meeting ends ofa' finished necklace or like article, but in so doing provides spacing allowance between the meeting ends of the measurin strings A, B and C substantially equivalent to that needed for a clasp connection with which the finished necklace or like article will necessarily have to be provided. Such modified construction of measuring coupler element comprises a body section 24 having the string anchoring eyes I4 along its rearward marginal portion and a female clasp element 25 at its forward marginal portion. 00- operative with said body section 24 is a separable companion body section 26, which is provided at its rearward marginal portion with a male clasp element 21 for cooperation with said female clasp element 25 of the body section 24, and at its forward end with the slotted coupler portion 16 for engagement by the measurin bead strings A, B and C. It will be obvious that in use and operation of the measuring device, the above described modified construction of coupler element will function, when its sections are joined .together, in the same manner as already heretofore set forth relative to the first described embodiment of this invention.

Having now described our invention, we claim:

1. A measuring device for the purposes described comprising a desired number of beads of selected size, a flexible carrying strand upon which said beads are strung in successive abutting relation, a coupler means aiiixed to one end of the string of beads with which a selected bead of the free end portion of said string thereof may be engaged, whereby to form a circular measuring loop in said bead string, and at least a plurality of said beads which extend toward the free end of the string thereof having identifying numbers thereon corresponding to their numerical positions in the whole strung length of beads, counting from the end of the latter to which said coupler member means is afiixed, whereby engagement with the coupler means of a selected numbered bead will denote the entire number of beads by which said measuring loop is formed.

2. A measuring device for the purposes described as defined in claim 1', including means at the free end of the string of beads operative to retain said beads in abutting relation.

3. A measuring device for the purposes described including a plurality of strings of beads, each string comprising a desired number of beads of selected size and a flexible carrying strand upon which said beads are strung in successive abutting relation, a coupler device having transversely spaced means at its inner end to which corresponding ends of said bead strings are respectively afhxed to extend longitudinally therefrom in laterally spaced parallel relation, said am n.

coupler device having at its outer end means withwhich said selected beads of the free end portions of said respective strings thereof may be respectively engaged, whereby to form respective circular measurin loops in said bead strings,

and at least a plurality of said beads which ex tend toward the free end of each string thereof.

having identifying numbers thereon corresponding to their numerical positions in the whole strung length thereof, counting from the end of the string which is affixed to said coupler device,

whereby engagement with the coupler device of selected numbered beads of the respective strings thereof will denote the entire number of beads by which each respective measuring loop is formed.

4. A measuring device for the purposes de-.

scribed as defined in claime3, wherein each string of beads is provided at its free end with means operative to retain the beads thereof in abutting relation.

5. A measuring device for the purposes described as defined in claim 3, wherein the coupler device comprises separable parts one of which includes the bead engageable portion, and said parts having cooperative clasp means for releasably joining the same in connected relation.

6. A measuring device for the purposes described comprising a desired number'of beads of selected size, a flexible carryin strand upon which said beads are strung in successive abutting relation, a coupler body to which one end of the string of beads is affixed for extension therefrom, a coupler portion at the outer end of said coupler body formed to provide a rearwardly open transverse seating cavity, the wall of said coupler portion having an indenting slot intersecting said seating cavity, whereby the bead supporting strand can be entered through said slot for seating aselected head of said string thereof in said seating cavity to thereby form a circular measuring loop in said string of beads, and at least a plurality of said beads extending toward the free end of said string thereof having identifying numbers thereon corresponding to their numerical positions in the whole strung length of beads, counting from the end of the latter which is affixed to said coupler body, whereby engagement in the seating cavity of the coupler means of a selected numbered bead will denote the entire number of beads by which said measuring loop is formed.

7. A measuring device for the purposes described as defined in claim 6, including means at the free end of the string of beads operative to retain said beads in abutting relation.

8. A measuring device for the purposes described including a plurality of strings of beads, each string comprising a desired number of beads of selected size and a flexible carrying strand upon which said beads are strung in successive abutting relation, a coupler body having transverselyspaced means at its inner end to which said strings are respectively afiixed by ends thereof to extend longitudinally therefrom in laterally spaced parallel relation, said coupler body having a transverse coupler portion at the outer end thereof formed to provide a rearwardly open seating channel, the wall of said coupler portion having laterally spaced indenting slots intersecting said seating channel, whereby strands of said bead strings may be respectively entered through said respective slots for seating selected seating channel to thereby form a circular measa ma 7 uring loopdn' each bead string, and at least a plurality of said beads which extend toward the free end of each bead string havin identifying numbers thereon corresponding to their numerical positions in the Whole strung length thereof, counting from the end of the lattercwhich-is affixed to said coupler body, whereby engagement in the seating channel of the coupler body of a selected numbered bead of the respective bead strings will denote the entire number of beads by which each respective measuring loop is formed.

9. A measuring device for the purposes described as defined in claim 8, wherein each string of beads is provided at its free end with means operative to retain the beads thereof in abuttingrelation.

10. .A measuring device for the purposes de' scribed as defined in claim 8, wherein. the coupler bodycomprises separable parts one of which in:-

eludes the com r portion, and said parts having cooperative clasp'means for releasably joining the same 'in connected relation. p PHILIP TELL.

ABRAHAM LEHRHOFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this'patent: 

